Tray and holder



0x22, 1931. 'F E 1,837,200

TRAY AND HOLDER Filed 0m.- 19, 1927 w i 171] x5 awuentoz v fierlerzri; ,Ba arwar 351 M dum i gw Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES FREDERICK BUESSER, OF GUTTEN'BERG, NEW JERSEY TRAY AND'HOLDEB Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,100;

This invention relates to improvements in accessory articles for smokers, and refers particularly to a combined ash tray and match holder.

An important object of the invention is to provide a match holder which is adapted to support either loose matches, book matches or boxed safety matches.

Another object is to provide such a device with a combined handle and supporting member adapted to support the matches or other articles in spaced relation above a tray.

Another object is to provide such a device which will be capable of convertible use as either an ash tray or as a candle stick.

Another object is to provide such a device which is of extremely simple construction and adapted for economic manufacture and which will be strong and durable in service and of neat appearance.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be'readily apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred Z5 embodiment of the invention has been shown by way of illustration and wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved ash tray with the match accessory device in place;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view (iihrough the same on line 22 of Fig. 1; an

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the match holding device per se.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a tray 10 which is dished as best shown in Fig. 2 and provided with a downwardly extending peripheral flange 11, the lower edge of which may be provided with a bead or flange 12, whereby to reinforce the same and also to enhance the appearance. Said flange 11 is preferably higher than the depth of the tray 10, whereby to support the bottom wall 13 slightly above the table or other surface upon which the tray is disposed. Secured to the tray is a handle member 14 which is preferably formed of a strip of sheet metal and bent into U-shape. One end of said strip extends through a suitable aperture in the flange 11 and is secured to the bottom wall 13 of the tray by means of a rivet 15 or the like, and the otherend of said U-shaped member is disposed above the tray andin spaced relation thereto. Said upper end 16 of the handle member is provided with'a socket 17 which by'itself is adapted to receiveand support loose matches as will be obvious, and is further adapted to receive a match holding accessory 18. The intermediate portion of the U-shaped handle member extends outwardly and. upwardly a substantial distance from the edge of the tray 10. The match accessory device 18 is also formed of sheet metal and is characterized by a substantially central body portion 19 preferably circular in outline at the opposite sides of which are upwardly extending curved portions 20 disposed parallel to each other and of a height corresponding to the depth of the socket member, 17. Adjacent their upper ends, said members 20are laterally oflset as at 21 and have their extremities 22 disposed in spaced parallel relation whereby to extend above the top surface 0 the handle portion 16. Said extremities 22 of the accessory member 18 are notched or'bifurcated as at 23, whereby to be capable of receiving and supporting a book of matches 24, as indicated in Fig. 1. Incidentally, said extremities 22 are of substantially rectangularoutli-ne and of such a width and relative spacing as to be capable'of receiving a box of safety matches, theouter portion of said box substantially surrounding said extremities 22 and the tray portion of the box restv ing upon the upper edgesof said portions 22, whereby to be maintained in partly open oon dition. If desired, any number of rests 25 may be provided for supporting cigarettes, cigars, or the like, such rests being ofthe usual form and shown in the drawings as se cured by solder at 26 to the upper edge of the flange 11 the rests 21 and notched'extremities are convenient for holding matches in package form above the tray in readiness for in stant use.

In order-to render the device attractive in appearance, it may be formed of a suitable metal, the surface of which will take and retain a polish, or it may be enameled or otherc0nd1t10n. In some instances, 1t may be desirable to use the 'device'as an ornamental candleholder, instead of as a match holder, and in that case it is only necessary toremove the accessory member 18 from the socket 17 and to substitute in its place a candle of suitable size. In the event that the candle should belighted, the drippings from 'itwill, of course, be caught by the tray 10.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a substantial advance has been made in the art by the provision of a novel ash tray and match holder. The invention is, of course,

susceptible to numerous modifications in the details of construction and arrangement of parts, and the right is herewith reserved to make such changes as fall within the scope ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Havin thus described the invention, what is claime is 2- 1. In a device of the character described, a

tray body forming a central unobstructed tray space and consisting of a substantially flat bottom and encompassing side wall, a vertical wall encompassing the side wall and joined thereto at its upper edge, said vertical wall extending well below the bottom and constituting a self-supporting base for the support of the tray body, a holder attached to the'body and extending laterally beyond the same, said holder having an upward extension and a reverse extension, the last-named of'which is situatedjwell above the unobstructed tray space to provide free access to such space, and means provided on said reverse extension for maintaining a smokers accessory thereon.

2. In a device of the character described, a tray body'forming a central unobstructed tray space and consisting of a substantially flat bottom and encompassing side wall, a vertical wall encompassing'the side wall and joined thereto, said vertical wall extending Well below the bottom and constituting a selfsupporting base for the support of the tray body, there being a transverse opening in said vertical wall, a holder attached to the underface of the bottom and projecting outwardly through said transverse opening, said holder extending upwardly and also reversely over the body, the reversely extending portion of the holder being positioned well above the unobstructed" tray space to provide free access to such space, and the reversely extending portion being constructed and arranged to maintain an accessory thereon.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name hereto.

FREDERICK BUESSER. 

